Economic growth should be a catalyst for positive change, benefiting all people and the planet. To achieve this, we must ensure that economic progress creates meaningful and fulfilling jobs while safeguarding the environment. We must uphold labour rights, eradicate modern slavery and child labour, and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to benefit from entrepreneurship and innovation.
The Targets
Everyone can contribute to achieving the Global Goals.
Let us explore the twelve targets designed to promote decent work and sustainable economic growth:
Target 8.1: Sustained Economic Growth: Ensure economies grow steadily, with a focus on at least 7% annual GDP growth in the least developed countries.
Target 8.2: Diversify, Innovate and Upgrade for Economic Productivity: Boost economic output by diversifying industries, adopting new technologies, and improving existing ones, emphasising sectors that create high-value products and jobs.
Target 8.3: Promote Policies to Support Job Creation and Growing Enterprises: Encourage policies that support productive businesses, create decent jobs, and foster entrepreneurship and innovation. Support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises by improving access to finance.
Target 8.4: Improve Resource Efficiency in Consumption and Production: Enhance the efficient use of resources in both consumption and production by 2030. Decouple economic growth from environmental harm, guided by the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production, with developed countries leading the way.
Target 8.5: Full Employment and Decent Work with Equal Pay: By 2030, ensure everyone has access to productive and fulfilling employment, including young people and people with disabilities. Guarantee equal pay for equal work for all.
Target 8.6: Promote Youth Employment, Education and Training: Significantly reduce the number of young people not in employment, education, or training by 2020.
Target 8.7: End Modern Slavery, Trafficking and Child Labour: Take immediate action to eliminate forced labour, modern slavery, and human trafficking. Prohibit and eliminate the worst forms of child labour, including the use of child soldiers. End all forms of child labour by 2025.
Target 8.8: Protect Labour Rights and Promote Safe Working Environments: Safeguard labour rights and ensure safe and secure working conditions for all workers, including migrant workers, especially women, and those in precarious employment.
Target 8.9: Promote Beneficial and Sustainable Tourism: Develop and implement policies that promote sustainable tourism, creating jobs and supporting local cultures and products.
Target 8.10: Universal Access to Banking, Insurance and Financial Services: Strengthen domestic financial institutions to increase access to banking, insurance, and financial services for everyone.
Target 8.A: Increase Aid for Trade Support: Increase Aid for Trade support for developing countries, particularly the least developed countries, including through the Enhanced Integrated Framework for Trade-related Technical Assistance to Least Developed Countries.
Target 8.B: Develop a Global Youth Employment Strategy: Develop and implement a global strategy for youth employment by 2020, incorporating the International Labour Organisation’s Global Jobs Pact.
Things You Can Do
- Support a Goal 8 charity: very contribution, no matter how small, can make a difference! Consider supporting our chosen charity: ACET or a cause close to your heart.
- Mentor young people: Share your skills and experience to help young people prepare for their future careers.
- Be a conscious consumer: Make informed choices about the products you buy, considering their social and environmental impact.
- Understand your labour rights: Learn about your rights as a worker and advocate for fair and safe working conditions.
- Support local businesses: Choose to buy from local businesses to support economic growth within your community.
- Stay informed: Follow local news and stay connected with the Global Goals online or on social media at @TheGlobalGoals.
By taking these steps, we can all contribute to a more just and equitable economic system that provides decent work and opportunities for all.